The One Word That Explains Progress

Podcast: The Next Big Idea (LS 59 · TOP 0.1% what is this?) Episode: The One Word That Explains Progress Pub date: 2026-10-01 Get Podcast Transcript → powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization Martin Seligman founded the positive psychology movement. Now, at 84, he’s shaking up the field all over again. He’s got a new book out. It’s called Agency. And in it, he says, he’s trying to “found a new field.” It’s called psychohistory. “I'm after the rigorous possibility that we can use the tools of psychology to go back in history to ask the questions What produces innovation? What produces progress? And what produces stagnation?” 🎥 The Next Big Idea is on YouTube! You can find our episodes here. 📱 Follow Rufus on LinkedIn, subscribe to our Substack, or send us an email at [email protected]. Today's episode is sponsored by: Granola — The AI notepad with notes, actions, and memory, and no annoying meeting bots. Try it totally free for three months at granola.ai/idea Life at the Speed of Play — Purchase one copy at getmarksbook.com/next and author Mark Pincus will send you two Northwest Registered Agent — Helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses for nearly 30 years. Learn more at northwestregisteredagent.com/nbifree Sequencing — They're offering our listeners up to 10% off your full Genome test, plus free shipping. Go to sequencing.com and use promo code IDEA for 10% off. The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Next Big Idea Club, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.